Helpful Score: 6
I ADORE the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series by this author. This series, however, is slow and pendantic and self-rightous. it is as if he is trying to be "intellectual". This has none of the joy or lightheartedness of the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency books.
I'll post it anyway. Someone might want to read it. Don't know why....
I'll post it anyway. Someone might want to read it. Don't know why....
Hermine R. (herlibrary) reviewed The Sunday Philosophy Club (Isabel Dalhousie, Bk 1) on + 76 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
I'm a little more than halfway through this book as I started writing this review. The pages so far have been like stone...very hard to turn. I started reading this series because I loved the writer's style in the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective series which I found to be rich and eloquent. This, however, I find flat and verbose. - like poorly a cooked pot roast in thin gravy - very hard to chew and swallow. Isabel Dalhouse is no Mme Precious Ramotswe; in fact, every character so far is dull and uninteresting; the setting is uninteresting; there is nothing to like or dislike about the people or the place. Whereas Mme Ramotswe’s -ruminations were honey filled pears of wisdom, Isabel's musings - the fluff filler of the book - were wordy and academic which translate as boring and pretentious. The thoughts seem detached from the character as if it is the writer's own musings (which of course it is) and not the character's ( which is what the writer should make us believe).
Well, I did finish the book, just because I forced myself to do so, and it did not get any easier or enjoyable.
Well, I did finish the book, just because I forced myself to do so, and it did not get any easier or enjoyable.
Sallianne D. (traveller) reviewed The Sunday Philosophy Club (Isabel Dalhousie, Bk 1) on + 80 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
I did not enjoy this one from McCall Smith quite as much as the "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" novels; there is a certain amount of philosophical meanderings, which somehow detract from the detective aspect. However, it is a very readable mystery story, set in Scotland.
Heather F. (AZmom875) - , reviewed The Sunday Philosophy Club (Isabel Dalhousie, Bk 1) on + 624 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
It took me few false starts to read the NO 1 Ladies Detective agency. For that reason, I decided to approach this book the same way, that it may take me time to GET the book and the speech patterns. This is a good book if you can accept it for what it is and for what it is not. It is not the NO 1 Ladies Detective Agency. It should not be expected to be that book or that character just because it is the same author. It is a great story that asks some Philosophical question throughout since the Main character is a Philosophy editor. As Americans, we may find some of the content unfamiliar. He isnt writting Fluff. He uses big SAT words. I found it thought provoking, useful, and entertaining. I am looking forward to reading the next book.
IONE L. (zaneygraylady) reviewed The Sunday Philosophy Club (Isabel Dalhousie, Bk 1) on + 57 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I like all the Ladies #1 detective books and hated this one. Too English.